Church Sealed For ‘Religious Conversion’ In Odisha’s Bhadrak

Bhadrak: A complaint of involvement of a church in religious conversion led the local authorities to seal it and impose prohibitory orders in a village of Odisha’s Bhadrak town.

According to sources, Bajrang Dal had filed a complaint with the district administration alleging that the church at Geltua village under Bhadrak Rural police station was involved in converting tribal people to Christianity.

Manas Mohanty, a Bajrang Dal activist, said the tribals were being lured and converted to Christianity in the church on a regular basis. “Therefore, we gave a written complaint to the district administration to stop the practice,” Times of India quoted him as saying.

Following the complaint, Bhadrak tehsildar and police conducted an investigation and found breach of peace between communities. “We had received a complaint from Bajrang Dal regarding tribals being converted to Christianity in the church,” said Manoj Patra, sub-collector of Bhadrak on Tuesday.

On the basis of the probe report, the administration sealed the gates of the church on May 17 and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in the village to ensure law and order. Not more than three persons can assemble near the church, officials said.